Spalding’s historic water fountain will not be included as part of newly approved works to improve the town’s cemetery.
It was revealed back in January that the currently in storage water feature that dates back to 1847 could be a part of improvement works.
South Holland District Council’s portfolio holder for assets Rodney Grocock said at the time Spalding’s Cemetery could be the “ideal” place for the 20ft Gothic structure.
But the proposal met some opposition with Spalding and District Civic Society among those to say it should be in the town centre instead.
And Coun Grococok said those overseeing the improvement works totalling between £175,000 and £200,000 approved last week couldn’t find a space or the funds to include the fountain.
“We had lots and lots of ideas but didn’t come to a full conclusion,” he said. “It was a case of we couldn’t find a position and we’d have needed an extra £20,000 while struggling to find money.
“I did want to see it in the cemetery but I walked around the site a dozen times and I just couldn’t see a spot it would fit.”
Coun Grocock said the dilemma over the fountain’s return was “driving him potty”.
“A lot of people want it to be where it originally was, but it hasn’t been there for 60 to 80 years and we’re going to need a new proposal to put a huge monolith like that back.
“The pipework inside is leaded so there’s a health and safety issue and they’re not working anyway so it would just be a monument.
“We do still want to do something but I’m now waiting for the deputy leader or leader to say ‘let’s put it in place’.”
The Spalding Cemetery improvements passed by South Holland District Council last week include revamping the road surfacing and providing more parking spaces at various points throughout the site.
Four of the new parking spaces will be created by demolishing a disused toilet block. A one-way system for the roads will be created and the speed limit for driving around the site lowered from 6mph to 5mph.
Enabling works will be funded by £26,000 from the Spalding Special Expenses Reserves amassed from Spalding council tax payers with £151,000 for the main works coming from the 2008 sale of the Cemetery Gatehouse. A further £20,000 from the council’s Capital Programme has been set aside as a contingency plan for the work.
